A Guide to Veterans Services in Northern Arizona. Northern Arizona Veterans Support Community

Transcription

1 A Guide to Veterans Services in Northern Arizona Northern Arizona Veterans Support Community September 15, 2009

2 WHAT DOES THIS GUIDE DO? This guide is for you to use as a reference to help you with: Finding a place to live. Getting a job. Learning what benefits are available to you as a veteran. Seeking counseling, local peer support groups, or treatment for addiction. TIPS FOR FINDING AND OBTAINING VETERAN SERVICES 1. Services provided by government agencies are listed in the front of the phone book. Look for Social Services or Human Services under Federal, State, and listings. You can also look under Social Services in the yellow pages or under dexknows.com. 2. Free access to computers and the internet is available at public libraries as well as NAU Cline Library. 3. Keep track of the steps you take, including the dates and names of people you contact for information and assistance. 4. When calling an agency, be persistent, patient and polite: Write down your questions before talking to someone. Take notes during your conversation, and don t hesitate to ask the person with whom you are talking to repeat information while you write. Get the name of the person you are talking to. Ask questions, if the information you are given is not clear. If someone cannot help, ask about who can help. 5. When writing a letter or to request information, keep your letter short and to the point. Include the following information: Your name and contact information. A brief statement about your current situation. Your specific request. What you have done so far. Example: I have written to x organization, and they suggested I contact you. 2

3 GENERAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES This section lists local, state and federal agencies providing general information and services to Veterans. Additional agencies are also listed later in this guide under the specific area of services each agency provides: Housing, Employment, Education, Health Care, Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse, Financial Assistance, and Legal Aid. Assistance League of Flagstaff 2919 N. West St., Flagstaff, AZ Has a comprehensive Social Services Directory for Flagstaff. United Way of Northern Arizona 1515 E. Cedar Ste. D1, Flagstaff, AZ Offers referrals to local services. State & Federal Arizona Department of Veterans Services 2705 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff, AZ State-wide Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Provides assistance with Veterans benefits and entitlements information, VA claims process, as well as representation and advocacy. ADVS also assists Veterans whose claims have been denied. They provide outreach and home visits to communities outside urban areas. US Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Persian Gulf War Helpline Health Care for Homeless Veterans Offers outreach, clinical assessments and referrals for medical and mental health care, transitional residential assistance, links to permanent housing, and employment assistance. 3

4 HOUSING This section includes ways to locate emergency housing, transitional programs, and longterm housing assistance. There are often waiting lists for long-term housing assistance programs, so ask about getting on the waiting list as early as possible. Flagstaff Shelter Services 216 W. Phoenix Ave., Flagstaff, AZ Hours 7:30am-noon M-W & F-Sat. Offers showers, laundry, mail & phone services, plus treatment and job training to homeless men & women. From Oct. 18- April 14, provides overnight shelter and a hot daily meal. HUD Services and Shelters in Coconino County Provides a list of local emergency shelters for men, women and children. Flagstaff Housing Authority 3481 N. Fanning, Flagstaff, AZ Administers long-term subsidized housing assistance. Federal National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 3331/2 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Washington, DC VET-HELP Helps with locating homeless Veteran service providers in your local area. 4

5 EMPLOYMENT Arizona Department of Economic Security Job Service 397 Malpai Lane Suite 9, Flagstaff, AZ Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Veteran Employment Representatives help Vets find and keep jobs. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists develop job and training opportunities for Vets with service-related disabilities. Vocational Rehabilitation personnel help folks with non-service-related disabilities find and keep jobs. One Stop 2403 N. Isabel, Flagstaff, AZ Hours 9:00-4:00 M,W,F 12:00-8:00pm T,Th. Help with online employment searches, writing resumes, job interview skills, computer and typing classes. Goodwill Industries 2225 N. Steves Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ Hours 8:30-12:00 M-F. Career Center helps with online employment searches, writing resumes, and computer skills. Federal VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Helps Veterans with service-related disabilities by providing job training and counseling. 5

6 EDUCATION Coconino Community College Veterans Services Student Financial Aid Office, Main Commons Bldg., 2800 S. Lone Tree Rd., Flagstaff, AZ (4219) Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Assists Veterans with filing VA claims to receive GI Bill benefits. Northern Arizona University, Office of Student Financial Aid-Veterans Office of Student Financial Aid, Gammage Bldg, P.O. Box 4110, Flagstaff, AZ Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Assists veteran students and their dependents file VA claims to receive educational GI Bill benefits. NAU Native American Student Services LEADS Center, Student Union, NAU, P.O. Box 5653, Flagstaff, AZ Hours 8:00-6:00 M-Th, 8:00-5:00 F. Offers academic advising, socializing, study areas, tribal scholarships and job resources to Native American students. Educational Opportunity Center NAU Field House, NAU, P.O. Box 6035, Flagstaff, AZ Assists with admissions and financial aid applications for those 19 or older to enter any college or vocational technical school nationwide. Has local coordinators throughout Northern Arizona. 6

7 HEALTH CARE Consider enrolling in the VA Health Benefits System as soon as possible. The waiting time to enter the VA System may be several months, so enroll before you think you may need services. If you are currently ineligible for Veterans health care benefits, free or low cost health care may be available from other local sources. North Country Health Care 2920 N. Fourth Street, Flagstaff, AZ Hours M-F 7:45am-8:00pm, Sat 7:45-5:00. Offers physical & behavioral health care. Coconino County Health Department or Health Clinic 2625 N King St., Flagstaff, AZ Dental Clinic 304 S. Humphreys St., Flagstaff, AZ Assists with obtaining access to medical care, health education, and testing for communicable diseases. San Francisco Peaks Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post W. Santa Fe Ave., Flagstaff, AZ Service Officer DAV Transport vfwpost1709@npg.com Help with entry into VA system and processing VA medical claims. Free DAV transport to VA facilities in Bellemont, Prescott and Phoenix. NAU Fronske Health Center NAU Campus, P.O. Box 6033, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ Hours M-F 8:00-5:00. Offers physical and behavioral health services to enrolled NAU students. 7

8 State & Federal Northern Arizona VA Health Care System 500 N. Highway 89, Prescott, AZ National AIDS Hotline Talk to someone who knows about HIV/AIDS and can tell you about AIDS services in your city or state. If you think you may be at risk for AIDS/ HIV infection, contact a local health service to get tested and to seek counseling. Those at highest risk for AIDS/HIV infection are: Anyone who shared needles or syringes to inject drugs or steroids. Those born to mothers who have HIV or who received blood transfusions before Anyone who has had sex with anyone who is at risk for AIDS/HIV. Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can cause scarring of the liver and liver cancer. If you think you may be at risk for Hepatitis C, contact a local health service to get tested and to seek counseling. Those at highest risk for Hepatitis C are: Persons who have used a needle to inject steroids or drugs. Anyone who had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before Persons who were health care workers and had contact with blood. Those born to mothers who had Hepatitis C at the time of birth. Vietnam-era Veterans. Anyone who has had multiple sex partners, tattoos or body piercings. Anyone who has snorted cocaine or has a history of heavy drinking. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE Behavioral health refers to our behaviors, performances, feelings, sleep, thoughts, appetite and relationships. When our behavioral health is out of balance, we can easily become frustrated, depressed and confused. Seeking out assistance early is helpful to regaining that balance. Flagstaff Vet Center 8

9 See information under Prescott Vet Center (in next section) for how to access services in Flagstaff. North Country Health Care 2920 N. Fourth Street, Flagstaff, AZ Hours M-F 7:45am-8:00pm, Sat 7:45-5:00. Provides physical and behavioral health care. Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Association (NARBA) 1300 S. Yale Street, Flagstaff, AZ (general) (member services) Crisis Hotline Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Coordinates publicly-funded comprehensive behavioral health care services. NAU Counseling Center P.O. Box 6045, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ Hours M-F 8:00-5:00, closed 12:00-1:00. Works to enhance the psychological growth, emotional well-being, and learning potential of enrolled NAU students. Provides short-term psychological counseling, behavioral health and substance abuse educational programming. Veterans in School Support Group NAU Counseling Center, P.O. Box 6045, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ Thursdays 1:00-2:30. This group provides an environment for Vets enrolled at NAU to discuss problems and challenges they face. The facilitator, also a Veteran, creates a place where Vets can share information about local and regional resources and share experiences with other NAU students with similar backgrounds. NAU Fronske Health Center P.O. Box 6033, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ Hours M-F 8:00-5:00. Offers physical and behavioral health services to enrolled NAU students. 9

10 State & Federal Prescott Vet Center 3180 Stillwater Dr. Suite A, Prescott, AZ Offers counseling services for Northern Arizona Veterans. Has therapists on contract in Prescott, Flagstaff, Sedona and Winslow. The Merritt Center P.O. Box 2087, Payson, AZ Offers free weekend retreats to empower combat Veteran men and women with skills to heal and reenter civilian society. Participants are paired with a combat veteran mentor available 24/7. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or An immediate connection with a trained VA professional. Focus on Recovery Helpline A 24-hour national alcohol and drug abuse addiction and treatment hotline. HHS Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service Offers referrals to local programs. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Flagstaff/Coconino County Community Services 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff or

11 Hours M-F 8:00-4:30. Provides emergency rent and utility assistance, food, clothing, and bus tickets. Salvation Army 507 N. Humphreys, Flagstaff Hours 9:00-12:00 M-Th. Provides clothing and emergency food vouchers, sack lunches, and rent and utility assistance. State & Federal Arizona Department of Economic Security 397 Malpai Lane, Flagstaff, AZ Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F. Administers the distribution of Food Stamps. American Legion Offers temporary financial assistance to help maintain a more stable environment for children of Veterans. LEGAL AID DNA Peoples Legal Services 2323 E. Greenlaw Ln., Flagstaff, AZ Hours Tuesday 9:00-11:00 & 1:00-3:00. Offers legal advice and services for civil cases. Serves Native and Non-native Americans. 11